The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-15
BASEBALL RULES REVISED
JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE LEAGUE
AND ASSOCIATION MEET.
Several Important Changes Made--No
More Base Hits on Balls, and Only
Three Strikes Allowed.

PITTSPURG, Pa, Nov. IA. The Joint
committee Of the National league and
American association on the revision of
the baseball rules met at the hotel Andcr-
son, in this city, at 1890 O'Clock this
morning. The league representatives are
Messrs. Spalding, Chicago; Day, New York,
and Scandrett OF Pittsburg, the latter rep
resenting Rogers, OF Philadelphia. Those
of the association are: Phelps, Louisville;
Williams, Cleyeland, and Barnic, Balti-
more. The meeting is being held with
closed doors, and nothing can be learned
before the adjournment this afternoon. II
is probable that the rule allowing base
hit for base ON balls viii be abolished,
and that the rule relating TO bunting
will be further amended.
The committee organized by the election
oil @. ii. Phelps chairman, and Mcssrs.
Scandrett and Williams secretaries. A
resolution was adopted that majority OF
each delegation from the league and as
ISOLATION shall be necessary to adopt any
amendment changing the playing rules,
and that the unanimous recommendations
OF the joint committee will accompany the
report of such changes to the two respect
tive associations. Among the changes sug
gested were the following: That player
be called out for cutting the base without
appeal from the captain; that the box be
placed twelve inches further from the
home plate, and that base hit on balls he
abolished. These suggestions were dis
cussed, but action deferred until later.
A resolution was then adopted that the
question OF the ACCESSIBILITY OF each club
having one or more extra men in uniform,
in order that they may be introduced into
the game at any time. bc referred TO the
annual meeting of the two organizations
for discussion. The object OF the amend
ment is to prevent players from sulking in
the field. Adjourned Tor dinner.
The afternoon session lasted until late
this evening. After adjournment, the
committee announced that they had
agreed upon the following changes in the
rules. Rule 22, Section 3, referring 10
score cards, has been amended so that any
contemplated changes in teams after the
publication OF the score card, must b. sub
mitied to the umpire for his approval.
Rule A., relating TO batsmcn, has
been changed MS follows: Ii on the
third strike the bali hits the person or
clothing OF the batsman he shall be de-
clarcd out also, after two strikes has been
called, ii the batsmm attempts TO make a
foul hit he shall be declared ont.
Rule 4 has been changed from four
strikes and five balls, to three strikes and
five balls
The rule allowing base hit on five balls
has been abolished, but at the suggestion
OF President Day five balls will still be con
sidered factor in carncdruns 4 base on
balls will be credited against the pitcher in
the error column.
Rule 80, section 4, has been amended.
allowing runner 10 take base ii the ball
hits the umpire. Ii the ball struck by the
batsman hits base-runner after an at
tempt has been made TO field il, the
runner shall not he declared out.
II base.runner knocks down or runs
into q fielder he shall be declared out.
A resolution was adopted providing for
the appointment Of representative from
each association 10 prepare an official re-
port OF the changes TO send TO their repre-
sentative organizations.